Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe houses a heavyweight emerging companies practice that is particularly active across the AI, fintech, digital health, and software sectors. The team is co-led by Samir Bakhru, Josh Pollick, and Anik Guha. Bakhru contributes extensive expertise in advising growth technology companies from formation through exit, while Pollick is a highly regarded go-to for both emerging companies, venture firms, and strategic investors. John Bautista draws on longstanding experience to advise high-tech and life science companies in venture capital financings. A recent standout matter for Stephen Venuto is advising Anthropic on its $13 billion Series F. In New York, Max Cantor is singled out for advising funds and early-stage companies in high-value equity and debt investments. John Harrison is lauded for his ‘strong industry background and appreciation of the market’. Mike Heath, who joined from Gunderson Dettmer LLP in February 2025, guides clients throughout the entire company lifecycle.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Orrick's corporate team is simply exceptional — and I don't say that lightly. What makes them genuinely different is that they don't wait to be asked. They anticipate, they flag issues before they become problems, and they engage with our business like they have skin in the game. That kind of proactive partnership is rare, and it's the reason we keep coming back. The team brings serious firepower across M&A, venture, capital markets, and corporate governance, but what you actually feel day-to-day is the culture behind it — lawyers who are brilliant without the ego, who collaborate seamlessly across practices, and who are always, always available. In a world where legal counsel can feel transactional, Orrick feels like an extension of our own team.
- Josh Pollick is one of the most important relationships I've built in business. He is genuinely brilliant, and what separates him from other lawyers I've worked with is that he's always there when it counts. Not just responsive, but present. Always thinking 10 steps ahead. He works incredibly well with other lawyers in negotiation. He is level-headed. He is the kind of person you can call when something is on fire at 9 PM and know you're going to get clear thinking and real answers, not hedged legalese. Josh has been instrumental in Crexi's success. He doesn't just execute; he thinks alongside you, understands the stakes, and cares about the outcome. Over the years, he's gone from trusted counsel to someone I consider a true friend, and that says everything about the kind of person and professional he is. Anyone who gets to work with him is lucky.
Key clients
- Anthropic, PBC
- Deel
- Doppel Inc.
- Coatue Management LLC
- Radiant Industries Incorporated
- Supabase, Inc.
- K5 Global
- Fuse Ventures Management
- Ladder Technologies
- Merama Inc.
- Blockratize (d/b/a Polymarket)
- Mercor
- All Inspire Health (d/b/a Inspiren Health)
- Celero Communications
- Time By Ping, Inc. (d/b/a Laurel)
- August Health
- MarqVision
- Beacon Platform Incorporated
- Kindred Ventures
Work highlights
Advised Anthropic, a leading AI safety and research company, in its $3.5 billion Series E and $13 billion Series F.
Advised key venture capital funds, including Coatue, K5 Global, Kindred, and Fuse, on numerous investments with an aggregate value of more than $10 billion.
Advised Polymarket, the cryptocurrency-based prediction market, in its US$2 billion financing.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Stephen Venuto
Josh Pollick
Practice head
Samir Bakhru; Anik Guha; Josh Pollick
Other key lawyers
John Bautista; Stephen Venuto; Max Cantor; Mike Heath